Electrical equipment and cable support assembly

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of, and claims priority to, U.S patent application Ser. No. 60/261,849, filed Jan. 15, 2001 now abandoned and entitled “ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND CABLE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY.”

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of shelves for supporting computer equipment in a frame or cabinet, and more particularly to the field of sliding network equipment shelves utilizing a flexible, space-saving cable management apparatus to retain and support cables in a plurality of shelf deployment positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As is well known, electrical component racks, frames and cabinets are heavily utilized to store computer equipment and other electrical equipment of a variety of types. The equipment may be mounted on or in electrical equipment support systems such as racks, frames, cabinets and the like, collectively referred to herein as “cabinets,” in a variety of ways. For example, equipment may be attached directly to the structure of a cabinet, placed on a shelf, or the like. Shelves for supporting such equipment are generally of two types: static and moveable. Static shelves are those which remain stationary with respect to the cabinet to which they are attached, while moveable shelves may be moved relative to the cabinet, usually in order to provide more convenient access to the equipment stored thereon. Moveable shelves generally take the form of sliding shelves which may be moved laterally along slides, rollers or the like, in and out of the cabinet.

A major concern with regard to moveable shelves in general, and sliding shelves in particular, is the disposition of the cables, wires and the like, referred to herein as “cables,” which are attached to the equipment stored on the shelves. As such a shelf is moved outward from the cabinet, the equipment stored thereon is likewise moved, pulling and straining the cables attached thereto with it. Obviously, the cables must therefore be arranged to provide enough slack to enable the equipment to be moved outward the desired distance. In addition, however, provision must be made to keep the cables from becoming entangled and from catching on portions of the cabinet or of other equipment as the cables are moved out, and for restoring the cables to their original positions when the equipment is moved back into the cabinet. Further, all of this cable management must take place while preserving the integrity of the power supplied through the cables or the signals likewise transmitted through the cables. Because of the difficulties inherent in such cable management, users often dispense with the extra expense of sliding or other moveable shelves altogether in favor of a static system which utilizes only static cable management apparatuses such as stationary cable raceways, wiring shelves, permanently-attached O- or D-ring brackets, or the like.

Most prior art solutions to the problem of managing cables in a moveable shelf environment utilize a hinged cable management arm attached between the rear of the shelf and the rear of the cabinet. Each arm includes a plurality of arm segments, with a typical number of segments being four, and each pair of adjacent segments is connected by a hinge. The arm is capable of gradually unfolding from a folded position, in which the segments are generally folded on top of each other, to an unfolded position, in which the segments are unfolded, sometimes to the point, or nearly the point, of forming a straight line from one end to the other.

The arm is typically disposed in one of two arrangements. In a first arrangement, the arm is connected between the rear of the shelf and a vertical mounting rail of the cabinet. In this arrangement, the folded arm extends horizontally along the rear edge of the shelf, and the folding and unfolding motion is generally co-planar with the shelf itself. In a second arrangement, the arm is connected between the rear of the shelf and a horizontal frame member installed between the vertical mounting brackets or between the shelf slide assembly attached thereto. In this arrangement, the folded arm extends vertically above or below the surface of the shelf, and the folding and unfolding motion occurs in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the shelf.

Once the hinged cable management arms are installed, cables may be routed along the arms and held in place by wrapping plastic tie wraps, Velcro® straps or buckle straps around the cables and the arm. As the shelf slides outward, the hinged cable management arm unfolds and the cables attached to it unfold in unison with the motion of the arm. As the shelf slides back inward into the cabinet, the hinged cable management arm refolds, and the cables attached to it refold in unison with the motion of the arm.

Unfortunately, horizontally and vertically hinged cable management arms both suffer from a number of disadvantages. First, both types consume a considerable amount of space behind the shelf and may obstruct air flow horizontally through the cabinet. Vertically hinged cable management arms may take up more vertical space than the equipment mounted on the shelf, thereby limiting the amount of equipment that may be stored in the cabinet or how far a shelf may be extended from the cabinet. Further, vertically hinged cable management arms require the presence of a horizontal frame member connected behind the sliding shelf Such frame members are not commonly utilized except at the bottom of the cabinet, and thus such a vertically hinged cable management arm must either be installed at the bottom of the cabinet, or else an additional horizontal frame member must be purchased and installed. In addition, the structure and operation of prior art cable management arms relative to the sliding shelves to which they are attached demands that they be mounted relatively precisely, making the installation procedure time-consuming and tedious.

Alternative solutions to the problem of managing cables in a moveable shelf environment likewise suffer from significant problems. For example, cord winders may be used to roll and unroll cables as the equipment is moved in and out. However, when installed, each cord winder occupies a significant amount of valuable space above or next to the shelf. Further, a separate cord winder must generally be utilized for each separate cable. In addition, cord winders become easily tangled as the cables become bent and kinked. Similarly, gravity-based solutions allow cables to drop into a vertical space at the back of the cabinet behind the equipment, and consume little additional space, but the weight of the cables is frequently not enough to overcome the bends and kinks which develop in the cables and prevent the cables from dropping smoothly back into the vertical space. Further, a sufficient amount of vertical space must be available to contain the retracted cables when the shelf is moved back into the cabinet and the cables are pulled by gravity down into the space.

Thus, a need exists for a cable management solution which may be easily installed, which occupies little otherwise-usable space and which operates reliably.

Another problem encountered with regard to the selection of sliding or moveable shelves for use in cabinets and other electrical equipment support systems is the difficulty of installing the shelf, its slide assemblies and any cable management apparatus. Prior art sliding shelves and their associated cable management arms are typically constructed from steel and are thus quite heavy. Further, assembly and installation of these apparatuses is fairly complex, requiring a number of members to be attached together in relatively precise locations to enable free movement of the shelf and cable management arm. In addition, installation of the shelves and cable management arms typically requires considerable use of various tools. The installation complexity and tool requirements, coupled with the heavy weight of the apparatuses, makes installation of the apparatuses prohibitively difficult for one person to handle by himself. Thus, a need exists for a sliding shelf and cable support assembly which may be easily installed by only one installer using a minimum of tools.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Briefly summarized, the present invention relates to an electrical equipment and cable support assembly for use in a cabinet. Broadly defined, a cable management apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is operative to route at least one cable from a first location to a second location in an electrical equipment support system and includes: a flexible support member extending curvilinearly between the first location and the second location; and at least one retention feature disposed along the length of the flexible support member for supporting at least one cable.

In features of this cable management apparatus, the electrical equipment support system includes a shelf mounted in a cabinet, and the flexible support member is connected between the cabinet and the shelf; the shelf moves relative to the cabinet, and the flexible support member remains connected between the cabinet and the shelf while the shelf moves; the flexible support member moves in conjunction with the movement of the shelf, the flexible support member has an upper edge extending continuously from the first location to the second location, and substantially all of the upper edge remains disposed in a single plane while the flexible support member moves in conjunction with the shelf; the flexible support member is a belt; and the portion of the flexible support member extending between the first and second locations is generally uniformly flexible.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cable management apparatus for routing at least one cable from a first location to a second location in an electrical equipment support system includes: a belt; and at least one retention feature disposed along the length of the belt for supporting at least one cable.

In features of this aspect, the electrical equipment support system includes a shelf mounted in a cabinet, and the belt is connected between the cabinet and the shelf; the shelf moves relative to the cabinet, and the belt remains connected between the cabinet and the shelf while the shelf moves; the belt moves in conjunction with the movement of the shelf, the belt has an upper edge extending continuously from the first location to the second location, and substantially all of the upper edge remains disposed in a single plane while the belt moves in conjunction with the shelf; and the belt extends curvilinearly between the first location and the second location.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an electrical equipment and cable support assembly for supporting an electrical component and at least one cable attached thereto in an electrical equipment support system includes: a moveable equipment support apparatus mounted in the electrical equipment support system; and a curvilinear support member, connected between the moveable equipment support apparatus and the electrical equipment support system, for routing at least one cable from an electrical component supported by the moveable equipment support apparatus to the electrical equipment support system.

In features of this aspect, the moveable equipment support apparatus is a sliding shelf assembly; the portion of the curvilinear support member extending between the moveable equipment support apparatus and the electrical equipment support system is generally uniformly flexible; the moveable equipment support apparatus includes at least one slide assembly having an inner slide member and an outer slide member, and the curvilinear support member is connected between the inner slide member and the electrical equipment support system; the curvilinear support member has an upper edge extending continuously from the moveable equipment support apparatus to the electrical equipment support system, and the upper edge defines a plane; and the plane defined by the upper edge of the curvilinear support member is generally horizontal.

In still another aspect of the present invention, an electrical equipment and cable support assembly for supporting an electrical component and at least one cable attached thereto in an electrical equipment support system, which has at least a first cable support member mounting location, includes: an equipment support apparatus, which has at least a second cable support member mounting location, mounted in the electrical equipment support system; and a cable support member, which has first and second ends and a temporary attachment portion disposed generally intermediate the first and second cable support member ends, for routing at least one cable from an electrical component supported by the equipment support apparatus to the electrical equipment support system, wherein the cable support member may be mounted in at least two positions including a normal use mounting position in which the first end is connected to the first cable support member mounting location and the second end is connected to the second cable support member mounting location, and a temporary installation mounting position in which the temporary attachment portion is connected to one of the cable support member mounting locations.

In features of this aspect, the equipment support apparatus is a sliding support assembly; when the cable support member is mounted in one temporary installation mounting position, the temporary attachment portion is connected to the first cable support member mounting location on the electrical equipment support system, the second cable support member end is connected to the second cable support member mounting location, and the first cable support member end is disconnected from both the first and second cable support member mounting locations; when the cable support member is mounted in another temporary installation mounting position, the temporary attachment portion of the cable support member is connected to the second cable support member mounting location, the first cable support member end is connected to the first cable support member mounting location, and the second cable support member end is disconnected from both the first and second cable support member mounting locations; the cable support member is a flexible belt; and the cable support member extends curvilinearly between the electrical component supported by the equipment support apparatus to the electrical equipment support system.

The present invention also includes a method of installing at least one cable on a cable support member having opposite ends and a temporary attachment portion disposed generally intermediate the cable support member ends, which are mountable to respective mounting locations in an electrical equipment support system, wherein the method includes the steps of: temporarily attaching the temporary attachment portion of the cable support member to one of the mounting locations; after temporarily attaching the temporary attachment portion, routing at least one cable along the cable support member; detaching the temporary attachment portion of the cable support member from the vacated mounting location; and attaching an end of the cable support member to the vacated mounting location.

In features of this method, the method further includes the step of temporarily detaching an end of the cable support member from one of the mounting locations before temporarily attaching the temporary attachment portion of the cable support member, and temporarily attaching includes temporarily attaching the temporary attachment portion of the cable support member to the vacated mounting location; the step of temporarily attaching the temporary attachment portion of the cable support member includes temporarily exposing substantially all of the cable support member from the temporary attachment portion to the temporarily detached cable support member end from underneath a first planar surface on the electrical equipment support system; the first planar surface is the top surface of a shelf; and the cable support member is a flexible belt.

The present invention also includes a method of installing a sliding equipment support assembly in an electrical equipment support system wherein the method includes the steps of: mounting a pair of mounting bracket assemblies and a pair of slide assemblies in the electrical equipment support system; after the slide assemblies are mounted in the electrical equipment support system, placing a shelf on the slide assemblies; and after placing the shelf on the slide assemblies, fastening the shelf to the slide assemblies.

In features of this method, the step of mounting a pair of mounting bracket assemblies and a pair of slide assemblies includes mounting a mounting bracket assembly, having a previously-attached slide assembly, in the electrical equipment support system; the step of mounting a pair of mounting bracket assemblies and a pair of slide assemblies includes the steps of first mounting the mounting bracket assemblies in the electrical equipment support system and then attaching a slide assembly to each mounting bracket assembly; the method further includes the steps of providing a plurality of L-slots in the shelf and providing the slide assemblies with a plurality of inwardly-facing protrusions, and the step of placing a shelf on the slide assemblies includes lowering the L-slots onto the protrusions and horizontally moving the shelf relative to the slide assemblies until the protrusions reach the ends of the L-slots; the method further includes the step of attaching a cable management apparatus for supporting cables to the shelf; the cable management apparatus is a flexible belt; the method further includes the steps of providing at least one perforation in the flexible belt, providing at least one retention feature having a plug, and attaching the retention feature to the flexible belt by inserting the plug through the opening in the flexible belt; the step of attaching the cable management apparatus includes attaching the cable management apparatus underneath the shelf; and the step of attaching the cable management apparatus includes attaching the cable management apparatus between one end of a slide assembly and the electrical equipment support system.

In a still further aspect of the present invention, a sliding equipment support assembly for supporting at least one electrical component in an electrical equipment support system includes: a shelf having a top member and at least two side members, each of which has a lower edge penetrated by at least one L-shaped slot; and at least two slide assemblies, each of which has at least an inner slide member and an outer slide member, and each inner slide member having at least one protrusion projecting through the L-shaped slot along the lower edge of one of the shelf side members.

In features of this aspect, the sliding equipment support assembly further includes at least two mounting bracket assemblies, wherein a slide assembly is supported by each mounting bracket; each mounting bracket assembly is supported by the electrical equipment support system; and the sliding equipment support assembly further includes a cable management apparatus connected between the sliding equipment support assembly and the electrical equipment support system for routing at least one cable from an electrical component supported by the shelf to the electrical equipment support system, wherein substantially all of the cable management apparatus extends underneath the shelf when the shelf is retracted within the electrical equipment support system.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, an electrical equipment and cable support assembly for supporting an electrical component and at least one cable attached thereto in an electrical equipment support system, having at least a first cable support member mounting location, includes: a shelf assembly mounted in the electrical equipment support system and including a shelf having a top member and at least two side members which each have a lower edge penetrated by at least one L-shaped slot, at least two slide assemblies which each have at least an inner slide member, and an outer slide member having at least one protrusion projecting through the L-shaped slot along the lower edge of one of the shelf side members, and at least a second cable support member mounting location; and a cable management apparatus having a flexible cable support member extending curvilinearly between the shelf assembly and the electrical equipment support system and having at least one retention feature disposed along the length of the cable support member for routing at least one cable from an electrical component supported by the shelf to the electrical equipment support system, wherein the cable support member, which has first and second ends and a temporary attachment portion disposed generally intermediate the first and second ends, may be mounted in at least two positions including a normal use mounting position in which the first end is connected to the first cable support member mounting location and the second end is connected to the second cable support member mounting location, and a temporary installation mounting position in which the temporary attachment portion is connected to one of the cable support member mounting locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a sliding equipment and cable support assembly supporting a computer equipment component in a retracted shelf deployment state in an equipment cabinet, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of the sliding equipment support apparatus and the cable management apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the sliding equipment and cable support assembly of FIG. 1, shown in an extended shelf deployment state;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the cable management apparatus of FIG. 1, deployed in a temporary installation position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cable management apparatus for use with the sliding equipment support apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the alternative cable management apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a portion of another alternative cable management apparatus for use with the sliding equipment support apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of cables installed on the alternative cable management apparatus of FIG. <b>7</b>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> supporting a computer or other electrical equipment component <b>16</b> in an equipment cabinet <b>12</b> in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention. An equipment cabinet <b>12</b> suitable for use with the present invention is disclosed in the commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,117 to Krietzman for a “RACK FRAME CABINET,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. It should be obvious, however, that the sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> of the present invention is adaptable for use with a wide variety of electrical equipment support systems, of which the cabinet disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,117 is merely an example.

The sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> comprises a sliding equipment support apparatus <b>20</b> and a cable management apparatus <b>40</b>. FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of the sliding equipment support apparatus and the cable management apparatus of FIG. <b>1</b>. The sliding equipment support apparatus <b>20</b> may be constructed from lightweight aluminum and includes a shelf <b>22</b>, a pair of slide assemblies and a pair of mounting bracket assemblies. The shelf <b>22</b> has a height of D and includes a top, a front and two sides, and each of the sides has a plurality of L-slots <b>23</b> extending upward from its lower edge. Each slide assembly includes an inner slide member <b>24</b> and an outer slide member <b>26</b> interconnected such that the inner slide member <b>24</b> may slide longitudinally relative to the outer slide member <b>26</b>. It should be obvious, however, that additional slide members may be incorporated into each slide assembly. A plurality of protrusions <b>25</b> project inwardly from each inner slide member <b>24</b> and are disposed to extend through corresponding L-slots <b>23</b> in the side members of the shelf <b>22</b>. Each mounting bracket assembly includes a fixed mounting bracket <b>28</b> and an adjustable mounting bracket <b>30</b>. Each fixed mounting bracket <b>28</b> has a plurality of apertures disposed along its length and a belt mounting plate <b>32</b>, inwardly offset from the remainder of the fixed mounting bracket <b>28</b>, disposed at its rearward end.

Each adjustable mounting bracket <b>30</b> may be attached to its corresponding fixed mounting bracket <b>28</b> by inserting fasteners through apertures <b>29</b> in the fixed mounting bracket <b>28</b> and through a longitudinally extending slot <b>31</b> in the adjustable mounting bracket <b>30</b>. The length of each mounting bracket assembly is controlled by the disposition of the fasteners along the length of the slot <b>31</b>, thus allowing each mounting bracket assembly to be adjusted to correspond to the distance between vertical mounting brackets <b>14</b> in the selected cabinet <b>12</b>. A perpendicularly-extending mounting flange <b>34</b> is disposed at the rearward end of each adjustable mounting bracket <b>30</b> and at the forward end of each fixed mounting bracket <b>28</b>. Each mounting bracket assembly is affixed between a pair of vertical mounting brackets <b>14</b> by inserting fasteners through apertures in the mounting flanges <b>34</b> and through corresponding apertures in the vertical mounting brackets <b>14</b>.

The cable management apparatus <b>40</b> includes a flexible support member <b>42</b> and a plurality of retention features <b>44</b> disposed along the length of the belt <b>42</b>. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible support member <b>42</b> is a belt having a height D₁and formed from a clear polycarbonate material to provide the requisite flexibility and to enable a user to view cables <b>18</b> through the body of the belt. However, it should be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the flexible support member <b>42</b> may be formed from any member or collection of members, such as a linked chain or the like, which is generally uniformly flexible along its length, allowing it to be readily reshaped from one curvilinear shape to another. Generally, all of the reformation of the flexible support member <b>42</b>, referred to hereinafter as a “belt,” occurs in a single horizontal plane or strata, having a height D₁defined by the upper and lower surfaces of the belt <b>42</b>, and the belt <b>42</b> retains its shape in the vertical direction without drooping significantly out of the single horizontal plane or strata. However, it should be obvious that the belt <b>42</b> or the disposition of the belt <b>42</b> relative to the sliding equipment support apparatus <b>20</b> may be adapted to permit reformation of the belt <b>42</b> in a plane or strata which is not horizontal or not parallel to the sliding equipment support apparatus <b>20</b>.

A first end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b> is anchored to one end of the inner slide member <b>24</b> on one side of the shelf <b>22</b>, while a second end <b>48</b> of the belt <b>42</b> is anchored to the belt mounting plate <b>32</b> of the fixed mounting bracket <b>28</b> on the opposite side of the shelf <b>22</b>. Each end <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> may be anchored by inserting threaded fasteners through apertures <b>49</b> disposed proximate each end, and designed for that purpose, and securing the fasteners with thumb screws or other threaded fasteners provided for that purpose. A further set of auxiliary mounting apertures <b>54</b> is provided for temporary use during installation, as described elsewhere herein. Because the height of the belt <b>42</b> is generally less than the height D of the shelf <b>22</b>, the portion of the belt <b>42</b> intermediate the two ends <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> may extend curvilinearly underneath the shelf <b>22</b> in the space bounded by the top, front and side members of the shelf <b>22</b>. As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the entirety of the surfaces forming the upper edge of the belt <b>42</b> thus lie substantially within a first plane, and the entirety of the surfaces forming the lower edge of the belt <b>42</b> thus lie substantially within a second plane. Significantly, the only space consumed by the cable management apparatus <b>40</b> is the space underneath the shelf <b>22</b> which may otherwise be generally unusable.

In a preferred method of installing the computer equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b>, each mounting bracket assembly, which may or may not have a slide assembly initially attached thereto, is first adjusted to match the distance between vertical mounting brackets <b>14</b> of the chosen cabinet <b>12</b>. Once the mounting bracket assemblies are properly sized, each mounting flange <b>34</b> may be fastened to its respective vertical mounting bracket <b>14</b> at the desired height. The outer slide member <b>26</b> of each slide assembly may be affixed to the inner surface of the corresponding mounting bracket assembly before or after the installation of the mounting bracket assembly in the cabinet <b>12</b> using either the same fasteners used to fasten the mounting bracket assemblies together or using additional fasteners. Once the slide assemblies and their respective mounting bracket assemblies are installed in the cabinet <b>12</b>, the inner slide members <b>24</b> may be adjusted relative to their respective outer slide members <b>26</b> until the protrusions <b>25</b> on one inner slide member <b>24</b> are directly across from the protrusions <b>25</b> on the opposite inner slide member <b>24</b>. The shelf <b>22</b> may then be mounted on the slide assemblies by positioning the shelf <b>22</b> such that the L-slots <b>23</b> are directly above the protrusions <b>25</b> on the respective inner slide members <b>24</b> and then lowering the shelf <b>22</b> so that the protrusions <b>25</b> slide upward relative to the shelf <b>22</b> and into the L-slots <b>23</b>. Once the protrusions <b>25</b> are fully seated in the tops of the L-slots <b>23</b>, the shelf <b>22</b> may then be moved rearward relative to the inner slide members <b>24</b> until the protrusions <b>25</b> are fully seated in the ends of the L-slots <b>23</b>. In this position, the shelf <b>22</b> is prevented from moving either upward or downward. The belt <b>42</b>, the first end <b>46</b> of which may premounted to the rearward end of a selected inner slide member <b>24</b>, may then be installed by attaching the second end <b>48</b> to the belt mounting plate <b>32</b> using suitable fasteners. Finally, the shelf <b>22</b> may be affixed to the slide assemblies by inserting additional fasteners through apertures in the inner slide members <b>24</b> and in the shelf <b>22</b>, by substituting fasteners for the protrusions <b>25</b>, by utilizing the fasteners used for attaching the belt, or some combination of the above, along with appropriate mating fasteners, such as thumb screws.

The sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> may thus be easily installed by a single installer acting alone, and using a minimal number of tools, by first installing the mounting bracket assemblies, then the slide assemblies (if not previously attached to the mounting bracket assemblies), then placing the shelf <b>22</b> on the slide assemblies and maneuvering it into position. The attachment of the shelf <b>22</b> to the slide assemblies may be deferred until after the shelf <b>22</b> is in place. Once installation of the sliding equipment support apparatus <b>20</b> is complete, the cable management apparatus <b>40</b> may easily be installed underneath the shelf <b>22</b> merely by inserting fasteners through the designated apertures <b>49</b> on the belt ends <b>46</b>, <b>48</b> and the respective slide member <b>26</b> and belt mounting plate <b>32</b>. Each mounting bracket <b>28</b>, <b>30</b>, slide member <b>24</b>, <b>26</b>, and cable management apparatus <b>40</b> may thus easily be held with one hand while fasteners or the like are inserted with the other, and the shelf <b>22</b> may be placed in position with two hands and then attached with one hand. Finally, if separate retention features <b>44</b> are utilized, they may be easily inserted into the belt <b>42</b> and manipulated to allow the insertion of cables <b>18</b> with one hand, leaving the other hand free to hold the cables <b>18</b> or the like.

Once the computer equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> is successfully mounted in the cabinet <b>12</b>, one or more computer equipment component <b>16</b> may be installed on the sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> as desired. The cable <b>18</b> may then be routed from the computer equipment component <b>16</b> as next described. Beginning at the cable's point of connection to the computer equipment component <b>16</b>, the cable <b>18</b> may be routed to the first end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b>, which remains in a fixed relationship with the shelf <b>22</b> and anything supported on the top member thereof, as the shelf <b>22</b> is moved forward and rearward via the slide assemblies. From the first belt end <b>46</b>, the cable <b>18</b> may be routed through each of the retention features <b>44</b> on the belt <b>42</b> until the second end <b>48</b> of the belt <b>42</b> is reached. The second belt end <b>48</b> remains in fixed relationship with the mounting bracket assemblies, the vertical mounting brackets <b>14</b>, and the cabinet <b>12</b> itself. Thus, once installed on the cable management apparatus <b>40</b>, the cable <b>18</b> may be routed from the second end <b>48</b> of the belt <b>42</b> to any typical destination, including another computer equipment component <b>16</b> within the cabinet <b>12</b>, a raceway above or adjacent the cabinet <b>12</b>, an under-floor routing location, or the like.

In a first preferred embodiment, the retention features <b>44</b> are releasable clips, each of which has an O-ring attached to a stud which may be inserted through the belt <b>42</b>. The clips <b>44</b> may be pre-assembled to the belt <b>42</b>, or may be installed by the user. The studs are each preferably equipped with a round plug and pin feature to facilitate the insertion of the stud through a punched hole or cross cut in the belt <b>42</b> and the subsequent retention therein, thus facilitating easy, tool-free assembly. Cables <b>18</b> may be installed in this type of retention feature <b>44</b> by opening each O-ring by releasing its clip and inserting the cables <b>18</b> through the respective sides of the O-rings. The cables <b>18</b> may be retained within the O-rings by closing the clips again. By repeating this process, the cables <b>18</b> may thus be routed from one end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b> to the other <b>48</b>.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cable management apparatus <b>40</b> for use with the sliding equipment support apparatus <b>20</b> of FIG. <b>1</b>. In this second preferred embodiment, the retention features <b>44</b> include elliptical openings <b>47</b>, each adjacent pair of which is connected by a generally longitudinally-extending seam <b>50</b>. It should be obvious, however, that the shapes of both the openings <b>47</b> and the seams <b>50</b> may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each seam <b>50</b> and the openings <b>47</b> it connects create a deformable flap <b>52</b>. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, cables <b>18</b> may be installed in this type of retention feature <b>44</b> by bending each flap <b>52</b> away from the rest of the belt <b>42</b> and inserting the cables <b>18</b> behind the flap <b>52</b> such that the cables <b>18</b> are routed through one opening <b>47</b> to the other side of the belt <b>42</b> and emerge again through the next opening <b>47</b>. By repeating this process, the cables <b>18</b> may thus be routed from one end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b> to the other <b>48</b>.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial perspective views of a portion of another alternative embodiment of a cable management apparatus <b>40</b> for use with the sliding equipment support apparatus <b>20</b> of FIG. <b>1</b>. In this third preferred embodiment, the retention features <b>44</b> are plastic tie wraps inserted through small longitudinal slots in the belt <b>42</b>. Each tie wrap may be wrapped around a bundle of cables <b>18</b> and closed in the ordinary manner as shown in FIG. <b>8</b>. By repeating this process, the cables <b>18</b> may thus be routed from one end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b> to the other <b>48</b>. Further, although tie wraps are illustrated, it should be obvious that other similar devices including VELCRO® straps, buckle straps, or the like, may instead be used.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the cable management apparatus <b>40</b> of FIG. 1, deployed in a temporary installation position. This arrangement may be useful during the process of installing, maintaining or deinstalling cables <b>18</b> in the retention features <b>44</b> by more effectively exposing at least a portion of the belt <b>42</b> to an installer or other user. To place the belt <b>42</b> in the temporary installation position, the second end <b>48</b> of the belt <b>42</b> may be detached from the belt mounting plate <b>32</b> and pulled rearward to expose more of the belt <b>42</b> from beneath the shelf <b>22</b>. An intermediate portion of the belt <b>42</b> may then be temporarily attached to the belt mounting plate <b>32</b> by inserting the same fasteners through apertures on the belt mounting plate <b>32</b> and then through the auxiliary mounting apertures <b>54</b> in the belt <b>42</b>. The belt <b>42</b> may be retained on the fasteners in this position in the same way as in the normal use position. Placing and holding the belt <b>42</b> in this temporary installation position enables a user to more readily view and access the belt <b>42</b> and its retention features <b>44</b> by exposing retention features <b>44</b> from underneath the shelf <b>22</b>. The belt <b>42</b> may then be returned to its normal use position once installation, maintenance or deinstallation is complete by reversing the above-described steps.

Once the cables <b>18</b> are installed and routed as desired, the sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> may be operated as next described. The sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> is deployed in its retracted state with the cable management apparatus <b>40</b> installed in its normal use position underneath the shelf <b>22</b>. When a user wishes to extend the shelf <b>22</b> from the cabinet <b>12</b>, the user may move the shelf <b>22</b> forward along the slide assemblies. As the shelf <b>22</b> moves forward, the first end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b> is forced outward as well, unfurling and straightening the belt <b>42</b> between the first end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b> and the anchor point of the second end <b>48</b> at the belt mounting plate <b>32</b>. Thus, in the retracted shelf deployment state or in any extended shelf deployment state, the cables <b>18</b> remain routed from their connection point at the computer equipment <b>16</b> to the first end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b>, through the retention features <b>44</b> along the belt <b>42</b> to the second end <b>48</b> of the belt <b>42</b> and from there to their respective destinations. At all times, the portions of the cables <b>18</b> between the computer equipment <b>16</b> and the first belt end <b>46</b> remain in a fixed relationship with the shelf <b>22</b>, while the portions of the cables <b>18</b> from the second belt end <b>48</b> to their final destination remain in a fixed relationship with the vertical mounting brackets <b>14</b> and the rest of the cabinet <b>12</b>. Finally, the portion of the cables <b>18</b> retained within the retention features <b>44</b> remain in a semi-fixed relationship with the belt <b>42</b> as the cables <b>18</b> bend and unbend in unison with the belt <b>42</b> as the shelf <b>22</b> is moved. When the user is ready to return the sliding equipment and cable support assembly <b>10</b> back into the cabinet <b>12</b>, the user may move the shelf <b>22</b> rearward along the slide assemblies. As the shelf <b>22</b> moves rearward, the first end <b>46</b> of the belt <b>42</b> is forced inward as well, furling the belt <b>42</b> back underneath the shelf <b>22</b>. Once again, as the shelf <b>22</b> is moved, the relationships described above are maintained.

It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.